ALBAWABA - On Sunday, Israel said that an airstrike on Gaza City on Saturday killed Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. Hamas has not yet said whether or not the Israeli claims are true.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that Abu Obeida, who was known as Hudhayfah al-Kahlout, was killed in a targeted strike based on information they already had about where he was. After he spoke, the Israeli army and the Shin Bet (internal security agency) made a joint statement saying they were in charge of the operation.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, is wanted by the ICC for war crimes. He said the army had targeted Abu Obeida and was waiting for confirmation of the outcome.
Israel's Army Radio said that this was Israel's third try to kill Abu Obeida since the war on Gaza began. The first two tries failed.
Since his first public appearance on June 25, 2006, when he announced Operation "Dispelled Illusion," Abu Obeida, who is often called "the Masked Man," has been seen as a major figure in Palestinian resistance. The operation killed two Israeli soldiers and captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. This was a turning point in Hamas's military power.
